Backtracks (2CD+DVD) [Box set]

AC/DC | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 10, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 3
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Sony Legacy
• ASIN: B002KREVCO
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,538 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #48 in Music > Box Sets

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Stick Around

2. Love Song

3. Fling Thing

4. R.I.P. (Rock In Peace)

5. Carry Me Home

6. Crabsody In Blue

7. Cold Hearted Man

8. Snake Eye

9. Borrowed Time

10. Down On The Borderline

See all 12 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (live) (Sydney Festival, 30 Jan. 1977)

2. Dog Eat Dog (live) (Apollo Theatre, Glasgow, 30 Apr. 1978)

3. Live Wire (live) (Hammersmith Odeon, London, 2 Nov. 1979)

4. Shot Down In Flames (live) (Hammersmith Odeon, London, 2 Nov. 1979)

5. Back In Black (live) (Capital Center, Landover MD, 21 Dec. 1981)

6. T.N.T. (live) (Capital Center, Landover MD, 20 Dec. 1981)

7. Let There Be Rock (live) (Capital Center, Landover MD, 21 Dec. 1981)

8. Guns For Hire (live) (Joe Louis Arena, Detroit MI, 18 Nov. 1983)

9. Rock And Roll Ain't Noise Pollution (live) (Joe Louis Arena, Detroit MI, 18 Nov. 1983)

10. This House Is On Fire (live) (Joe Louis Arena, Detroit MI, 18 Nov. 1983)

See all 15 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

2009 three disc (two CDs + DVD) release from the Australian Rock monsters. Throughout their 35 years of recording, AC/DC has had several tracks that have appeared in a myriad of places besides their official studio albums. From singles to soundtracks to promo samplers, their stray songs have been sought after by fans and are highly collectible. Now, for the first time, Backtracks collects 12 of the band's studio rarities and 15 live rarities and presents them in full remastered form to take their place along side the rest of the band's canon. The DVD brings the million-selling Family Jewels franchise up to date, covering 1993's 'Big Gun' through 2009's 'Anything Goes'. Also included are rare alternate videos for 4four songs as well as the promo clips for the Live album and the previously unreleased 'Guns For Hire'.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 43 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT DEVASTATING ROCK AND ROLL November 10, 2009

By Stuart Jefferson TOP 100 REVIEWER

Format:Audio CD

Two discs 46,78 minutes each approximately. The sound is uniformly good. The tracks have been cleaned up a bit,and the band comes through loud and clear. The DVD is icing on the cake,with a number of great performances. The box itself is cleverly done. The outer box resembles an amp/speaker,with all the settings on 10. Inside this is a fold-out package with the three discs,which snap-in,which seems to be the way record companies are packaging things these days. The booklet consists of many color photographs of the band on stage, and reproductions of band info/biographies etc. There are two pages devoted to track information,which while printed in small typeface,is pretty complete.

The first disc consists primarily of singles and tracks (not on the U.S. release) starting with the band's first album,"High Voltage". These tracks show the band from their formative (1974) period,and are presented in chronological order,which is helpful,as it shows the growth of this band into the r&r juggernaut they became. Not all the tracks are full-on r&r("Love Song" as an example),but by the time listeners hear track four, "R.I.P.(Rock in Peace)",this is the AC/DC familiar (sample lyric,"I get my kicks playing my licks and laying my chicks down on Route 66") to everyone who likes primal,full-on r&r. Even the slower songs (like "Crabsody in Blue") have that dirty,primal sound that the band was so famous for.

There are many listeners who feel that the (late) Bon Scott era was a high water mark for the band,and listening to the tracks with Scott,its hard to disagree. Scott's voice is pure,visceral r&r at its best. However,with the addition of Brian Johnson,replacing Scott,the band seemed to solidify into the overwhelming,powerful group that went on to define what r&r is all about.

Disc two is filled with what AC/DC was/is all about-live in front of an ecstatic audience. Starting with "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap",the band shows what real deal r&r is all about. The vocals are over the top yet spot on. The sound of the guitars will leave marks in your head. And the rhythm section (the bands secret weapon) keeps everything moving-seemingly propelling the rest of the band to greater heights. This is a band that had not one,but two great vocalists. Never mind which one listeners feel is better-on this collection it doesn't really matter. The pounding,exciting groove laid down by the band,as a whole,is simply devastating.

Everyone will have their own favorites from this ("Live Wire","Let There Be Rock",just two examples) collection. Suffice to say,if you don't know what AC/DC is all about-give this a listen. This collection will tell you all you need to know. For fans of the band-pick this up soon-you won't be disappointed. In this day and age of limp reformations of old bands,and new imitators,AC/DC clearly defines what makes great rock & roll. This is timeless music,laid down with no thoughts except to pump out the best music possible.

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This is real rock November 11, 2009

By Steven Durden

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Amazon delivered this right on release day. I immediately started up CD #1. These are the songs that have been on foreign releases only to be heard on expensive imports or murky copies floating around. Now they are remastered and bring Bon Scott back from the dead and some lost tracks from Brian Johnson. It does make a fan wish that there were two parallel AC/DC bands creating music over the last thirty years with Bon Scott still penning lyrics and singing in version 1 and Brian singing in version 2.
1. Stick Around: Bon Scott: 9/10
2. Love Song: Bon Scott: A ballady song. Glad they only made one love song. Still good to hear Bon. great guitar
3. Fling Thing: Primarily an instrumental right out of a Scottish pub.
4. RIP: Bon Scott: A cranker upper 8/10
5. Carry Me Home: Bon Scott:
6. Crabsody in Blue: Bon. Lyrics only Bon would sing. It will make you itch hearing about getting crabs. 9/10
7. Cold Hearted Man: Bon. Dark lyrics, blues style guitar. 10/10
8. Snake Eyes: Brian Johnson One of the better 80s tracks
9. Borrowed Time: Brian Good stadium thumper
10. Down on the Borderline: Great rhythm and Brian in great voice 8/10
11. Big Gun: The only thing good about Last Action Hero. The video on disk #3 is hilarious. Arnold carrying around Angus like a little Chucky doll.
12. Cyberspace: Ac/dc singing about computer stuff. Good to have, but like the Love Song, there was a reason to keep in a B-side. Still, fun to listen to.

CD #2: Live tracks. I wish there was more of Bon era live stuff. Brian's era is recorded with higher end equipment and he tears the roof off material never released live before on CD.

DVD: Rock and Roll with Angus turning up in the strangest places. The making of video makes you appreciate the fact that Angus is willing to take some risks, do all of his own stunts and put himself in harm's way. Reveals what a great band they are still having fun making blistering rock.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Standard set could have been better November 26, 2009

By M. Larsen

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Like many die hard AC/DC fans, I've been waiting for a single release with all of the hard to find Australian and B-Side stuff. I was extremely disappointed that Disc 1 on the standard set and Disc 1 on the deluxe set are different. The Deluxe set has all of the Standard set songs plus alternate versions of songs released in the U.S. I'd have rather had those 6 songs than the entire Disc 2 of the live rarities. Here's what we're missing:

"High Voltage" (Australian Release)
"It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)" (Original Australian Release)
"Rocker" (Original Australian Release)
"Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" (Original Australian Release)
"Ain't No Fun (Waiting Round to be a Millionaire)" (Original Australian Release)
"Who Made Who" (12" Extended Mix)

While there are more things in the Deluxe set (a working amplifier, an LP for those that STILL have a working turntable, another CD, an additional DVD, and some misc promo stuff), I was only interested in the 6 additional songs on Disc 1. They certainly could have included them, they just chose not to. While I'm glad they finally released the songs that have been floating around on bootlegs for years, I wish they'd have done it RIGHT - for the fans, not the profit. If you have $200 burning in your pocket pick up the deluxe edition, otherwise definitely pick up this set.